Chapter 169: Antecedent. Fifth Brother?

Yun Yang walked out of the street slowly but he could still faintly hear the men's voices. His expression twisted slightly as he halted his steps.

Behind him, eleven people were moaning in pain and bandaging grievous wounds for each other; all of them looked defeated as much as they looked drained.

Tonight's battle was a nightmare.

"Boss..." One of them looked at the leader with an ashen face. "I..."

"What do you want?"

"I wish to... retire from the martial arts world." The man's face was bitter. "When we go back this time, I will be checking on how big a pension that the Grand Tutor can award me. This young brother... can't do this anymore."

Everyone else obviously agreed with his speech, as they nodded wordlessly.

Everyone was thinking the same thing.

The leader was silent for a moment before he said, "In the past, I was in debt to the Grand Tutor's kindness. Who would have known that my personal affairs would burden my brothers? So be it. If all of you wish to leave, I will request for an increased pension, on your behalf. At least you'll have somewhere to belong to during your later years."

"Thank you, boss."

One of the men sighed and said in a disheartened tone, "Tiantang City is really a place of hidden experts. This young brother has lost his resolve... I might not forget tonight's incident for the rest of my life! I won't have the courage to pick my sword up again..."

The leader chuckled dryly and said, "During the year that I became the leader of cavalrymen I was struck off my horse in the battlefield and was about to die. Supreme Cloud suddenly appeared and saved my life... Ever since then, I have been afraid of the battlefield and did not dare to go to war anymore. Taking off my armor and returning home, I was recruited by the Grand Tutor. That's why I'm here in Tiantang City today. Who would have known that I have been terribly afraid to roam the martial art worlds since then?"

The others' gazes shone. "Did you really have such an interesting past? You managed to see Supreme Cloud?"

"Supreme Cloud was wearing a mask then... no one knew what the old man looks like, how could I be an exception? Nonetheless, my life was indeed saved by the old and respected Supreme Cloud."

The leader sighed. "I feel ashamed. I am strong and healthy but I have given absolutely not though about defending the nation; I fled the battlefield from fear... a terribly despicable and cowardly act.."

"When I finish asking for everyone's pension, I shall roam the border again..." The leader sighed. "I will pay my respects to Supreme Cloud... then I shall go find all of you."

"Let us go together!"

The rest of them said it simultaneously; all eleven men held onto each other as they left.

Standing with his purple robe flapping in the nightfall, Yun Yang's face seemed to be veiled with a cold, hard mask.

Fang Mofei and Lao Mei understood then.

It was no wonder that their young master had been brimming with so much anger while he held the upper hand, but had unexpectedly been merciful in letting these people live. It was all because their young master had recognized the man's origins the moment he came out.

Looking at Yun Yang who stood alone in the night breeze, both Fang Mofei and Lao Mei felt they eyes prickling with emotion; the lonely silhouette pulled at their heartstrings, a heartache that was difficult to be described with words.

Both of them had the crazily impulsive though to rush forward and pull Yun Yang into their embrace, to comfort him lovingly.

The heart of this hero has been terribly battered!

Yet they could only watch him silently.

Only Yun Yang himself could sooth his own heart and enlighten himself.

Yun Yang picked up his steps again and moved forward, his face cold, as if he had heard nothing.

The eleven men who had walked out of the street coincidentally saw the back of Yun Yang vanishing around the corner, his purple robe seemed to have flickered before their eyes.

The leader shuddered instinctively, his already pale face drained even further. "Why does the back seem so familiar? I must have seen it somewhere before. Where could that be?"

His questions went away as soon as they came; what replaced it was the delight of surviving the disaster as he called out, "Let's leave quick!"

....

As Yun Yang walked, a vigorous stream of mystical Qi roared within his body. The accumulated sanguinariness on him gradually disappeared, following the movements of his mystical Qi, until there was no trace of it left, not even on the soles of his feet.

When that was done, Yun Yang finally shifted his direction and went towards Cirrus House.

He had to tell Yun Zuiyue of this matter.

...

"Ju Chen?!" Yun Zuiyue stood up abruptly; a murderous rage erupted within her pretty eyes, the very same ones that had been looking straight at Yun Yang.

"Yes, it was her." Yun Yang drank a mouthful of tea, sipping rather tiredly at the rim. "She is already dead."

"Good." Yun Zuiyue gritted her teeth but her eyes were rimmed red at once - not because she was sad but because she was angered. "Let me investigate."

Yun Yang continued, "No need to be impatient. I would like to ask Sister Yue about the background of Ju Chen."

"She is... was... one of the sisters who had been fostered by Madam, all the way back then."

Yun Zuiyue was a little saddened. "Before this, she never showed any sign of deviation. How could she turn a total hundred and eighty degrees ?"

"Is she with you and fifth brother?" Yun Yang asked.

"No." Yun Zuiyue smiled bitterly. "During those days... there were only a few of them that were with fifth brother and me."

"Then I am relieved." Yun Yang heaved a sigh and said, "Sister-in-law, forgive this young brother's direct words. There might be people around you that might need some... spring cleaning. This time around, I was their target and their understanding about me was terribly off, so it's nothing more than a simple scare. However..."

He did not finish his words but Yun Zuiyue understood what he meant, as she nodded slowly and said, "I know. I shan't be careless about this."

"Hmm." Yun Yang nodded and continued, "I shall not extend my stay here then, I shall bid my leave. Take good care, sister-in-law, and be more cautious."

Yun Yang's retreating silhouette left the Cirrus House in a quiet state and disappeared into the nightfall.

Yun Zuiyue felt her heart grew heavy, her fury from being deceived was barely suppressed as well. Her sister, whom she had taken care of growing up and trained well, had betrayed her!

She had not noticed any hint prior to her betrayal too.

This was odd!

"Check on the type of people Ju Chen has been interacting with recently. I want news as soon as possible." Yun Zuiyue sent her order and sat on her chair, staring at the one Yun Yang had been sitting on in a trance.

It was fortunate that Yun Yang was exceptionally skillful and was trustworthy. Otherwise... how could she face Flame again?

Flame...

Yun Zuiyue suddenly thought of something as her expression changed. Suddenly, she sprung up, shooting out of the door to give chase to Yun Yang. However, she suddenly halted when she got to the door, her expression was one of uncertainty.

She had suddenly realized something.

Just now, even a few times prior... Yun Yang had called Supreme Flame "fifth brother" when addressing him!

As for tonight, "fifth brother" had appeared once more oh Yun Yang's lips!

It was not only once, at that.

It was obviously not a slip of the tongue - it was the truth.

Yun Zuiyue's eyes shone brighter.

Those under Nine Heavens Dictum would only call him Fifth Sir or Flame Sir!

They would never call him "fifth brother"; they dared not and they would never offend someone so rudely!

It was only the brothers among the Nine Supremes who would call out "fifth brother"!

Yun Yang had called Supreme Flame as "fifth brother" and herself as "sister-in-law"; did that not mean...

Yun Zuiyue's eyes glowed with excitement.

It was no wonder that this young brother could manipulate the world in his hand, turning the capital city round and apart yet he could stay concealed behind the curtain steadily without exposing himself.

It was no wonder that his thoughts were so detailed, each step he took was utterly secretive, yet unusually solid!

It was no wonder that he was so young but his cultivation base was so high; no one could get a grip on him despite the number of people who had gone after him.

It was no wonder that Ling Xiaozui, who had his eyes set so high, could sing high praises of him and said that he owed him a favor.

It was no wonder that he could remain so graceful before the four great young masters, reining them in without a trace and so effortlessly at that.

Such a person with such tactics, such thoughts, and such plots...

This Young Brother Yun was one of Nine Supremes!

Yun Zuiyue sucked in a deep breath and called Qing Shanxue in at once.

"Xue'er, help me check our sisters' backgrounds and activities for now, especially those who have frequent contact with the people outside... Then investigate them in greater detail."

Qing Shanxue agreed softly, "Yes, sister. But what has happened?"

Yun Zuiyue replied, "Nothing. I just feel... that something isn't quite right and want to clean Cirrus House up a bit, expel those who aren't... very compliant. Things are different now. That big brother of mine, Ling Xiaozui, has announced directly that Cirrus House is his family. This is a great fate but it is not something to be simply used. Can you understand what I'm trying to convey?"

Qing Shanxue frowned and said, "If that's the case, I'm afraid a good amount of Twelve Golden Flowers' sisters has to be cleared..."

Yun Zuiyue sighed. "This can't be helped. We can only give more silver taels then to have the sisters make a living of their own. Cirrus House... can't have so many people around anymore."

"Okay, sister." Since she understood the reason behind Yun Zuiyue's order, Qing Shanxue agreed without hesitation.

Like Yun Zuiyue had said, it was fate that Ling Xiaozui promised to guard them but it was also a shackle. If someone in the Cirrus House had rashly used this chance, they would only kill themselves!

Watching Qing Shanxue leave, Yun Zuiyue heaved another soft sigh.

Regardless of the reason, Cirrus House had to be cleaned up.

The more people there were, the more voices there would be. If she could not be entirely eased of worry, did that not mean that Yun Yang would be in danger at any time as well?

This is Flame's brother! He's my brother too.

I, Yun Zuiyue, shall never allow... my brother to be stricken by any calamity.

Ju Chen's incident... once is already too much!

If there were to be a next time... what dignity do I, Yun Zuiyue, have to continue living in this world?